Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 23:47:23 +0000
To: avant-garde-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org
From: Alastair Dickson <adickson-AT-stirmargrev.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: [a-g] Ivan Chtcheglov


Steven Snell asked
>A questions -- Ivan Chcheglov's _Formulary for a New Urbanism_ in the 
>opening line refers to "We are bored in the city, there is no longer any 
>Temple of the Sun." Any idea on the meaning behind the Temple analogy? Is 
>this a occult/religious question?
>
I've regarded Chtcheglov's reference to be to Campanella's C17 City of
the Sun: "On the top of the hill is a rather spacious plain, and in the
midst of this there rises a temple built with wondrous art." 

The Formulary text resonates with the earlier utopian descriptions
"Arches run on a level with the middle height of the palaces, and are
continued round the whole ring. There are galleries for promenading upon
these arches, which are supported from beneath by thick and well-shaped
columns, enclosing arcades like peristyles, or cloisters of an abbey.
But the palaces have no entrances from below, except on the inner or
concave partition, from which one enters directly to the lower parts of
the building. The higher parts, however, are reached by flights of
marble steps, which lead to galleries for promenading on the inside
similar to those on the outside. From these one enters the higher rooms,
which are very beautiful, and have windows on the concave and convex
partitions. These rooms are divided from one another by richly decorated
walls...  there are galleries for walking, with beautiful pavements, and
in the recess of the wall, which is adorned with numerous large doors,
there are immovable seats, placed as it were between the inside columns,
supporting the temple. Portable chairs are not wanting, many and well
adorned...  The pavement of the temple is bright with precious stones.
Its seven golden lamps hang always burning, and these bear the names of
the seven planets."

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